Smith & Wesson Model 19
S&W Model 19, polished nickel finish, 6" barrel
TypeRevolver
Place of originUnited States
Production history
DesignerSmith & Wesson
ManufacturerSmith & Wesson
Produced1957–1999
2018–present
Variants
Specifications
Cartridge.357 Magnum
ActionDouble action
Feed system6-round cylinder
SightsAdjustable

The Smith & Wesson Model 19 is a revolver produced by Smith & Wesson that was introduced in 1957 on its K-frame. The Model 19 is chambered for .357 Magnum. The K-frame is somewhat smaller and lighter than the original N-frame .357, usually known as the Smith & Wesson Model 27. A stainless steel variant of the Model 19, the Smith & Wesson Model 66, was introduced in 1971.

History

The .357 Magnum is the oldest "magnum" handgun cartridge. Smith & Wesson played a major part in the development and success of the cartridge and revolver that went with it. Firearms writer and experimenter Philip Sharpe is credited for its development during the 1930s when police agencies were asking for a more powerful round. S&W's Douglas B. Wesson agreed to produce a new revolver that would handle "high-intensity" .38 Special loads,[1] but only if Winchester would develop a new cartridge. Elmer Keith, a well known author and wildcatter at the time, was experimenting with hand loading .38 Special ammunition beyond their original specifications, taking advantage of the newer and better designed firearm frames and metallurgy, and also played a major role in the development of the .357 Magnum. Winchester introduced the .357 Magnum, which was dimensionally identical to the .38 Special except for a .125 inch longer case, and the first revolvers (referred to as ".357 Magnum Models") were completed by S&W on April 8, 1935.[2]

Retired Assistant Chief Patrol Inspector of the U.S. Border Patrol, famous gunfighter, and noted firearms and shooting skills writer Bill Jordan consulted with Smith & Wesson on the design and characteristics of the Model 19. Jordan's idea for a "peace officer's dream"[3] sidearm was a heavy-barreled four-inch K-Frame .357 Magnum with a shrouded barrel like the big N-frame .357 and adjustable sights. After a year of experimentation with improved-strength steels and special heat-treating processes, the result was the .357 Combat Magnum (later designated Model 19), with the first serial-number gun (K260,000) presented to Jordan on November 15, 1955.[2][4]

The .357 Magnum, four-inch barreled model was standard issue to uniformed officers of the former U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service, as well as Patrol Agents of the U.S. Border Patrol, until both agencies adopted .40 caliber semi-automatic pistols.[5]

A rare S&W M19-3 was built for the French GIGN. In 1972, they ordered 500 of these revolvers that have serial numbers in the M&P range from D639300 to 639800. With only 500 guns produced, this is the rarest M19 version. This specific model 19-3 has a fixed sight and is pinned & recessed. It has a three inch barrel.

Styles

The Model 19 was produced in blued carbon steel or nickel-plated steel with wood or rubber combat grips, an adjustable rear sight, full-target or semi-target hammer, serrated wide target trigger or combat-type trigger, and was available in 2.5" (3": Model 66—rare), 4", or 6-inch barrel lengths. The weights are 30.5 ounces, 36 ounces, and 39 ounces, respectively. The 2.5- and 3-inch barrel versions had round butts, while the others had square butts.[2]

The Model 19 was produced from 1957 (first model number stampings) to November 1999. The Model 66 was produced from 1970 until 2005. The Model 66 differed by its use of stainless steel and its smooth target-type trigger. The Model 68 was a limited-production version of the Model 66 made for the California Highway Patrol and Los Angeles Police Department chambered in .38 Special with a 6" barrel. The Model 19 and the Model 66 had the same trigger options.[2] One of the last variations of the Model 19 ordered for police use was the 2.5" Model 19-5, special ordered under SKU #100701 as the standard issue sidearm for Special Agents of the US Department of State's Diplomatic Security Service. This model featured a .400" wide, smooth "combat" trigger, Pachmayr Professional Compac rubber grips, and most notably a matte black finish instead of the common high-polished blue.[2] The 2.5" barrelled Model 66 was carried by I&NS Special Agents until the mid 1990's when the agency adopted a .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol as its standard issue sidearm.[6]

Engineering changes were designated with a "dash-" number after the model number. The engineering changes are as follows:[2]

Model 19 variants

4" Model 19-5, polished nickel plated with woodgrain square grips
2.5" Model 19-5 of the US Diplomatic Security Service, featuring unusual matte black finish
ModelYearModifications
191957Introduction.
19-11959Change extractor rod, right to left-hand thread.
19-21961Cylinder stop changed, removed trigger guard screw.
19-21963Introduce 6" barrel.
19-2196350 manufactured with 2.5" barrel, serial range K544672–K544721.
19-21966Introduce 2.5" barrel as standard.
19-31967Relocation of rear sight leaf screw.
19-31968Delete diamond-insert grip.
19-41977Change gas ring from yoke to cylinder.
19-51982Eliminate cylinder counter bore and pinned barrel; small change in cylinder length to 1.62".
19-61988New yoke retention system; radius stud package; floating hand; hammer nose bushing.
19-61992Blue finish only is cataloged.
19-71994Add Uncle Mike's Combat synthetic grips; drill and tap frame; change extractor; change rear sight leaf.
19-71995Delete square butt.
19-71996Discontinue 6" barrel production; begin shipments in blue foam-filled plastic cases.
19-71997Change to MIM thumbpiece and trigger, ship with trigger locks.
19-81998Change frame design, eliminate cylinder stop stud, serrated tangs.
19-81998Add internal lock, add MIM hammer w/ floating firing pin.
19-81999Discontinue 2.5” barrel.
19-92018Reintroduced with 4.25” barrel and Performance Center Carry Comp with 3” barrel.
19-92018Change to ejector rod and center pin lockup to yoke detent lockup. Gas ring and forcing cone rework to eliminate flat cut on forcing cone.

Model 66

A model 66-2, displayed with two speedloaders
ModelYearModifications
661971Stamping of each model.
66-11977Changed the gas ring from the yoke to the cylinder.
66-21982Eliminated pinned and recessed, slightly lengthened cylinder.
66-31986New yoke retention system/radius stud package/hammer nose bushing/floating hand.
66-41994Change rear sight leaf, drill and tap frame, introduce Uncle Mike's grips, change extractor.
66-51998Change in frame design: eliminate cylinder stop stud/eliminate serrated tangs/change to MIM hammer with floating firing pin/change internal lockwork.
66-62002Introduced internal lock.
66-72003Two piece barrel and internal lock.
66-72005Discontinued.
66-82014Reintroduced with 4.25" barrel; 2.75" barrel offering added in 2017.

Model 68

ModelYearModifications
681977Introduction

Criminal use

Two Model 19s, along with two Browning Hi-Power pistols, were used in the 1996 Dunblane massacre.[7] This led to the enactment of Firearms (Amendment) Act 1997 and Firearms (Amendment) (No. 2) Act 1997, effectively banning handguns in the UK.[8]

References

  1. ↑ Wood, Keith (May 13, 2015). "10 Things You Didn't Know About Smith & Wesson". americanhunter.org. Retrieved September 20, 2019. Daniel Wesson's grandson, Colonel Douglas B. Wesson
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Supica, Jim; Nahas, Richard (3 January 2007). Standard Catalog of Smith & Wesson. Iola, Wisconsin: F+W Media, Inc. pp. 136, 186–188. ISBN 978-0-89689-293-4.
  3. ↑ Taffin, John (2006). "The combat magnum: good gun gone". Guns Magazine. Retrieved 2009-08-02.
  4. ↑ Sweeney, Patrick (2004). The Gun Digest Book of Smith & Wesson. Iola, Wisconsin: Gun Digest Books. pp. 40–41. ISBN 0-87349-792-9.
  5. ↑ Taylor, Jon Wayne (31 October 2016). "Gun Review: Smith & Wesson Model 19-3". The Truth About Guns.
  6. ↑ Wood, Keith (27 February 2019). "Smith & Wesson Model 19". Guns & Ammo. p. https://www.gunsandammo.com/editorial/smith-wesson-model-19/357690.
  7. ↑ Cullen, Douglas W (30 September 1996). The Public Inquiry into the Shootings at Dunblane Primary School on 13 March 1996 (PDF). ISBN 0-10-133862-7. Retrieved 7 April 2018.
  8. ↑ "Britain's changing firearms laws". BBC News. 12 November 2007. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
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